Shimano New 7:1 Curado 200E7

[Moonpie]

Been slobbering over the new Shimano 200 E7.
Sprung for one a few days back.
Have used it on a couple of trips and so far its a pleasure to use.
My .02cents

Weight: Its a bit heavier than a 50Mg but not as heavy as a Chronarch.

Drag: The drag is smooth and can be really cranked down. It handled a couple of slot reds with ease.

Capacity: The line capacity is better than a 50Mg also. Didn't measure it but I loaded at least 150yds of 12lb Stren on it. Braid should spool up over 200yds.

Casting: Pretty much S.O.P. for a high end Shimano baitcast reel. Smooth and easy. Brake system just like the 50Mg line. Side plate is opened by a 1/4 turn on the folding side plate handle, unlike the 50mg which unscrews, to access brakes.
Standard spool tension knob on handle side.

Ergonomics: Real nice. The reel is very low profile. Easily fits in your hand. Handle is large with comfortable knobs. I kind of wish the star drag wheel was a bit larger in diameter but thats just me.

Retrieve: FAST! It will smoke a lure across the water. I tried some of my little crank bait type lures and it has to be cranked slow or they just skipped on the water.

Overall I think its a winner.

[WestEndAngler]

Thanks for the review Moon, I'm heading out to buy one this week!

[aqua pimp]

Yip.... I will agree! I have had two of them for a month or two now and have been very pleased with them.

AQUA PIMP

[Gilbert]

I know this is an old thread but instead of starting a new one I figured I would add to this one. I got the e7 not too long ago. maybe 3 weeks. Fished with it for the first time last night. Man, what a reel. Its beyond smooth. It was windy and I put two brakes on and had no problem casting into the wind. I loaded it up with 12/50 power pro and never backlashed. It will crank some line in. I was having problems with the birds wanting to eat my top water so I would reel in fast and the spook was just hopping across the top of the water. the birds couldn't catch it. I give this one a 10+. I switched to diffrent lures 2 times and it had no problem getting distance out of each and they all weighed differently. The AR H3 its sitting on was also nice. Its a real light combo and wouldn't have problems working this one all day grinding it out. Hope to give it a real workout sometime soon on some real fish.

[Blackbeard]

I will have to check that one out.

[WestEndAngler]

My dad had one sitting since Xmas and I spooled it up and caught 10 trout on it 2-3 weeks ago when I was down last... The reel is super smooth and I love it! Going to buy me one and give his back

[dbarham]

is it balanced ok with that big ol gear?

[Explorer21]

Get this, the wife is buying the 201E7 this weekend and she will have a better set up then me. Got to love women that know their reels and can fish.

[FlatoutFishin]

I know this is an old thread but instead of starting a new one I figured I would add to this one. I got the e7 not too long ago. maybe 3 weeks. Fished with it for the first time last night. Man, what a reel. Its beyond smooth. It was windy and I put two brakes on and had no problem casting into the wind. I loaded it up with 12/50 power pro and never backlashed. It will crank some line in. I was having problems with the birds wanting to eat my top water so I would reel in fast and the spook was just hopping across the top of the water. the birds couldn't catch it. I give this one a 10+. I switched to diffrent lures 2 times and it had no problem getting distance out of each and they all weighed differently. The AR H3 its sitting on was also nice. Its a real light combo and wouldn't have problems working this one all day grinding it out. Hope to give it a real workout sometime soon on some real fish.

That last sentence will never happen!

[Explorer21]

Just an update, the wife purchased her the 200E7 this weekend and boy she can make some really long casts. She let me try it and it was really smooth.

[Gilbert]

That last sentence will never happen!